Channel 4 takes on BBC smash The Traitors with twisted new cooking show
SINCE the success of The Traitors, a string of shows have emerged which tap into the treachery at the heart of the BBC One hit.
Danny Dyer unveiled quiz show Cheat on Netflix, Channel 4 had its reality contest Rise And Fall with Greg James, and ITV is said to be developing a quiz show hosted by Rob Rinder, called The Imposter.
Now I can reveal that C4 is also working on a project called Cutthroat Kitchen, where contestants don’t just compete to make the best dishes, they also have to sabotage their competitors’ food.
A TV insider said: “After watching The Traitors (hosted by Claudia Winkleman) viewers were captivated by the skulduggery, so that was a natural go-to for telly execs looking for the next big thing.
“Of course, they can’t just repeat the formula, so now they’re looking at different ways they can use that thirst for back-stabbing into different genres.
“Cookery shows have already evolved from Delia Smith’s twee afternoon tutorials to Hell’s Kitchen-style competitions thanks to the likes of Gordon Ramsey.
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“So though it sounds like a bizarre combination, this would just be taking the genre to the next level.”
Cutthroat Kitchen is already a US TV show, but C4 is looking at how it would work over here, with a full series potentially airing next year.
In the American version four skilled chefs are handed a pot of cash and have to compete against each other, and the clock, in the kitchen.
They must produce three delicious courses, but during each round they can spend some of the cash on buying a chance to try to ruin their rivals’ dishes.
This could involve inserting or removing an ingredient, or being allowed to mess with their kitchen equipment.
In fact they can do almost anything to stop them from producing their ideal meal in the allotted time.
The person who doesn’t run out of money while still managing to produce the greatest food is named the winner.
Sounds like a chancy format to get right — but if Future Food Stars could get a second series, then anything’s possible.
WHO SIS? LOVERS’ ID TWIST
FANS of BBC comedy The Power Of Parker were shocked to learn that love rivals Diane and Kath are secretly sisters.
The new series follows self-made businessman Martin Parker – played by Conleth Hill – as his life implodes over a few days in 1990.
And in Friday’s episode, we learnt that he’s behind the rift between the two women.
But in real life, things could not be more different.
Rosie Cavaliero, who plays Diane, said: “Diane and Kath (Sian Gibson) are sisters who were once close but are now estranged.
“Martin has created an unforgivable rift between them which has been going on for years. But Sian is a joy to work with, she is also a very dear friend.
“We first met a few years ago doing a table read of another script and we bonded immediately.”
The Power Of Parker, is on BBC One on Fridays, 9:30pm. All episodes now on BBC iPlayer.
Bizbit
ONE Show host Gethin Jones gets inundated with filthy pictures on social media.
On the Rig Biz podcast, he said: “I get a lot of d*** pics.
"You get all kinds on there. Then it’s stuff like, ‘What’s your favourite cheese?’ ‘Can I have your socks?’”
It’s definitely a hard no to that one, Gethin.
ODD GRUB A-PEELS TO SCARLETT
SHE’S scoffed witchetty grubs and fish eyes in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, but Scarlett Moffatt’s pregnancy cravings sound bananas – quite literally.
The Gogglebox star, who gave birth to baby Jude last month, has revealed that pieces of the fruit wrapped in bacon got her through many a binge.
“You couldn’t move in our house for melons. And then bacon and banana . . . you just wrap a little bacon round a banana. Wow.”
Each to their own.
DAV A REAL BOOTY
MOST of us hit the beach in swimwear and a pair of flip-flops – not Davina McCall though.
She looks all dressed up for a night out, flashing her holiday tan in a mint green two-piece and a pair of sparkly cowboy boots.
Here’s hoping the TV presenter let her hair down – as it’s back to work soon.
Davina has a busy August ahead as she launches new ITV dating show My Mum, Your Dad, in which she’ll pair up single parents looking for a second chance at love.
She probably didn’t need those boots while filming the series at an English country mansion – but when it comes to fun-loving Davina, who knows?
ROSS IN A LOCK-UP SHOCKER
ROSS KEMP will sample life behind bars in some of the world’s most high-security, high-risk prisons for a new Channel 5 series.
In Ross Kemp: 72 Hours In . . . the former EastEnder will bunk up with gang leaders, violent criminals, drug lords and mass killers to discover what it’s like to live among society’s most dangerous individuals.
From the notorious jails of Latin America to South East Asia, action man Ross will find out what it takes to be part of the management teams that often risk their lives to keep the peace.
He said: “I’ve been to some of the world’s toughest prisons. I thought I’d exper-ienced it all, but this time we’re going even further.”
Filming begins this summer.
Bizbit
BIG Brother winner Nadia Almada would happily return to the house, after I revealed how ITV bosses were tapping up some of the show’s best known faces.
She said: “It would be an honour. I have a different perspective from 20 years ago and I want to show the kids how it’s done.”
BENEDICT LOVED TV THRILLS
BEAR GRYLLS has convinced a galaxy of stars to sign up for his new series of challenge show, Running Wild.
There’s Russell Brand, Rita Ora and Bradley Cooper.
But it sounds like adventure enthusiast Benedict Cumberbatch didn’t take much persuading.
In the opening episode of the National Geographic series, the Doctor Strange star tells Bear: “I’ve had a couple of near death experiences.
“The first time I went sky diving it was very much a reaction to that, wanting to have a little more control when I’m looking over the edge, and it made me, in a weird way, fearless.
“I like the idea of experiencing life to the full.”
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I like the idea of sitting on my sofa.
The series begins on August 20 at 6pm.